Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term was originally used to refer to feelings of being "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy". The term's use as a reference to homosexuality may date as early as the late 19th century, but its use gradually increased in the 20th century. In modern English, gay has come to be used as an adjective, and as a noun, referring to the people, especially to gay males, and the practices and cultures associated with homosexuality.

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Gay originally used to refer to feelings of being "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy" but since the 1960s (by reapprobation) has most commonly referred to a male (and later also female) whose sexual orientation is attraction to persons of the same sex.

1. homosexual, especially of a man; 2. (especially with teenagers) uncool, unattractive, not socially acceptable: “What a gay haircut”; “That band is so gay”; 3. homosexual male a party bar which caters to a gay clientele young male homosexual